Australian Air League’s Manly Squadron now combines boys and girls

For the first time, girls can sign up to the Australian Air League’s Manly Squadron — which has been in existence for more than 80 years — as part of the pathway to becoming a pilot.

Alyssa Gavrilova and Maiia Salbieva, alongside Sara Spencer, represent the future of the Manly Squadron. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

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FOR more than 80 years the Australian Air League’s Manly Squadron had been a training ground for boys looking to pursue a career as a pilot, engineer or another aviation role.

But now, for the first time, girls are taking flight with a goal to becoming the aviation leaders of tomorrow.

The league first formed at North Manly’s Hinkler Park in 1934. While other squadrons launched across Australia, including female-only groups, Manly was never able to recruit enough females (aged 8-18) to do the same.

Sara Spencer hopes to become an engineer. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

But within the past two months the league’s national body made a ruling to allow composite squadrons, meaning Manly is now in a position to recruit girls into the existing boys squadron.

Brookvale’s Sara Spencer, 12, is leading the way as the first female to join — which came by chance, after she attended the sign-up session for her brother, Liam.

Liam Spencer, 14, and Zachary Collins, 19, are two plane enthusiasts. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

Ryan Sutton, part of the Manly Squadron, at Camden Airport. Picture: (AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo)

“I find it very exciting — and if somebody had the chance to join I would definitely recommend it, because it’s very fun,” she said.

“I like planes but I’m not really fond of flying. I was thinking I could be a plane engineer.”

Training associate Rick Chown said he was proud the squadron was now in a position to offer a pathway for girls.

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“I think there will be a lot of need for pilots in the future and girls can be just as enthusiastic about flying as the boys,” he said.

“We have been pushing for quite some time to become a composite squadron... now we are at a point where we can do that.”

For any girls — and boys — interested in joining the Manly squadron, which meets at Hinkler Park on Friday evenings and sometimes holds ‘air camps’ at Camden Airport, call 02 9905 0773 or visit airleague.com.au.